The idea of walking in Christ is the fundamental premise of the disciple. What is clearly evident is that love is the foundation of that walk. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). This is how the would be “known” as His disciples.
John’s statement that his commandment is not a new commandment indicates that Jesus’ required it from His disciples from the very beginning. John speaks in great detail about the importance of loving one another. He is known as the “apostle of love.” Perhaps this emphasis was because it was so revelatory to him. He and James were at one time called by Jesus the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). But John became associated most with the call to love. The command was “old”, or well established.
It was, however, “new” in the sense that Jesus’ call was revolutionary to a world in sin. Never before had “the true light” shined as it was in the hearts and lives of Jesus’ disciples.
